Finn’s review of Double Fantasy by Cheryl Holt
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 4 Mar 08

This is a book about a man who gets what he wants, no matter what.

Jamieson Merrick is man who was tossed away as a child and forced to grow up with his twin brother as a privateer. It is later that Jamieson discovers he is the rightful heir to Gladstone and he means to take back what is his.

There is a pair of orphaned young women living at Gladstone Manner and the king has charged Jamieson to marry the oldest, Anne. Determined to keep his inheritance, Jamieson forces Anne to marry him. The Merrick twins have a half-brother and sister, also twins, Ophelia and Percy. They are determined to get rid of Jamie at any cost.

This book really plays with your emotions. Fear: will the Carstairs sisters be forced out of Gladstone? Anger: at times you really just want to strangle Percy and Ophelia. Disgust: Percy and Ophelia are involved in incest that drives their mother mad. Determination: you want Jamie and his brother to succeed. Happiness: that Anne and Jamie come to love each other. Frustration: when Jamie won’t get it through his thick head that he really does love Anne and needs to settle down with her.

Overall a great read!

Grade:  B

From the back cover:

     HE IS HER NEW MASTER…

     Orphaned as a young girl, Anne Carstairs was taken in by her cruel, malicious relatives. She’s lived a lonely life at their Gladstone estate, but with a new earl coming, everything is changing. Anne has heard many rumors about him, but she is completely unprepared for him to be the most deeply seductive man she’s ever encountered. No sooner do they meet than he brushes her lips with a delicious kiss that leaves her wanting so much more…

     IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE…

     As a boy, Jamieson Merrick was denied his inheritance and forced to work as a privateer on the high seas. Until years later, when Jamie discovers that he is the rightful heir to Gladstone. Now, as the new earl, he’s determined to claim what is his… including Anne Carstairs. Once he lays eyes on the petite beauty, he vows to take her to his bed and make her his own. She’s a pawn in his plan for revenge. But he never dreamed that revenge could be so sweet…

     Read an excerpt.